Women's Water Polo Drops Pair To Princeton, Harvard

NEW ROCHELLE, NY -- The Iona College Women's Water Polo team dropped a pair of contests Saturday against nationally ranked opponents Princeton and Harvard. The Maroon & Gold fell to the Tigers 14-5, and came up short against the Crimson 13-6.

Game 1: Iona 5, Princeton 14.

In the morning contest, the Gaels were unsuccessful in gaining any momentum against No. 11 Princeton, falling to the Tigers 14-5.

Junior Hannah Schultz scored four of the team's five goals, with senior Rebecca Koshy tallying one of her own. In goal, junior Britten Vilander had eight saves and five steals, while facing 26 Tiger shots.

In the first quarter, the Gaels allowed the first four goals before Schultz struck with ten seconds remaining to put themsevles in a 4-1 hole going into the second quarter. The Maroon & Gold were held scoreless in the second frame, conceding three Princeton goals, as the scoreboard showed a 7-1 deficit for the Gaels.

The Princeton defense stymied the Gaels into the second half, as the Tigers tacked on another goal before Schultz found the back of the net with 2:33 remaining in the third quarter. The Tigers added another three goals in the final 2:09 of play in the frame to put the score at 11-2 favoring the opposition.

Princeton scored the first goal of the fourth quarter, before Schultz answered back just 12 ticks later. After another Tigers goal put the Gaels behind double-digits once more, Schultz struck with her final goal of the game to put the score at 13-4 with 2:59 remaining. A late goal by Koshy with 22 seconds left put the final score at 14-5.

Game 2: Iona 6, Harvard 13

In the afternoon game, a strong Crimson first half was too much to overcome, with the Gaels coming out on the wrong end of a 13-6 final.

Rebecca Koshy and Hannah Schultz led the team with two goals each. Juniors Devika Joshi and Darby Nevins each tallied a goal in the defeat. Britten Vilander earned the start, making twelve saves and collecting three steals.

The Maroon & Gold started off strong defensively, allowing one goal to the Crimson. Koshy put the Gaels on the board first, striking just 45 seconds into the contest. The Crimson answered back with 3:44 to go in the opening frame. Iona was able to fend off three ejections in the first quarter, as the period came to a close tied at 1-1.

The Crimson went on a tear in the second quarter, outscoring the Gaels 10-1. The opposition scored eight goals in the first five minutes of play before Nevins stopped the run with her first goal of the season. Harvard tacked on two more goals, as the Gaels looked at an 11-2 deficit after the first 16 minutes.

A strong second half by the Gaels cut into the deficit, outscoring the Crimson 4-2. Schultz opened up the scoring 56 into the frame. Joshi and Koshy followed with goals to cut the Crimson lead to 11-6 with 3:11 to go in the third. Harvard tacked on a goal 32 ticks later, as the scoreboard read 12-6 at the end of the quarter. The Gaels tacked on one goal in the fourth quarter, as the Maroon & Gold dropped the contest 13-6.